Free Unbreak My Heart (Childhood Sweethearts Reunited) by Helen Scott Taylor

himself. "I don't blame her."
    "Blame her!" Jerry's eyebrows shot up, and Andre realized he'd spoken without thinking. "In the lottery of life, mate, she's your lucky ball. The Caspian's got to be worth a pretty penny, and this hotel's not bad."
    "I know I'm lucky," Andre added hastily. And it was true. He had embraced the changes in his life and made the most of them. His main regret was that he'd lost Kate along the way.
    Jerry smiled knowingly. "Is that why you've taken her in now that Crowther's dumped her, out of gratitude? She's one weird chick. That's for sure."
    Anger spiked through Andre, but he hung on to his control. "You don't know her," he bit out.
    Jerry cupped his hand behind his ear. "Do I hear violins? First love, was she? What was Crowther then?"
    The struggle to hold his temper nearly beat Andre. He wanted to walk away, but if he left now God knows what Jerry would write. "Crowther didn't deserve her."
    "Well, he had her for six years, mate. She even had his kid." Jerry leaned toward Andre conspiratorially. "It must be true love if you're willing to take on another man's leftovers."
    Andre hadn't wanted to deck anyone this much since Eric Tierman hurt Kate when they were children. "Crowther's pond scum. He doesn't deserve Kate or his daughter."
    Jerry Markham's face creased into a satisfied smirk. "So the kid is definitely Crowther's?"
    Andre silently cursed himself. Jerry had used Andre's emotions to lead him by the nose exactly where he wanted him to go.
    "Come on, Andre, we're nearly there. Just say yes, mate, and I'll leave you alone."
    Andre struggled to get his thoughts straight. He wanted Jerry Markham and the rest of the bullies off the island and away from Kate for good. "You guarantee you'll leave her alone after this?"
    Jerry Markham held two fingers up to his head. "Scout's honor. And remember, I'll do you a first-rate piece on the Caspian Manor." He reached into his pocket and handed Andre a business card. "Give me a bell when you're ready, and I'll come back."
    A chill of foreboding pulsed through Andre. "You'll have to run the story without a photograph. I'm not letting you near Kate and Keiko again."
    Grinning his toothy schoolboy grin, Jerry took his cell phone out of his pocket. "We've got a few pics already. We'll make do with one of them."
    Andre dragged a hand over his face. He felt as though he'd been run over by a truck full of emotional baggage.
    Jerry leaned forward again. "So Daniel Crowther's the kid's father, right?" He sat there tapping his phone against the arm of the chair impatiently.
    Andre foundered in a sea of doubt. Should he give confirmation? Kate wouldn't like it if she found out, but if doing this got the press off her back, surely it was best. Andre nodded slowly. "Yes," he whispered.
    Jerry Markham rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Amen." He dialed and turned away. Andre stared into space, dazed. So much for not being manipulated! Had he done the best thing for Kate? He hoped so, but he couldn't tell her. She was paranoid about the press. To protect her from finding out, he would have to ensure she didn't read the newspapers.
    Rising, Andre left Jerry to his call. Uncertainty and a touch of guilt hung over him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Kate. He wanted to protect her. He reached in his jacket pocket to check for the small ring box he'd collected from the bank. The engagement might be fake, but the ring would be real. And so were his hopes and longings.
    ***
    Kate had showered, put Keiko to bed, and was pacing the sitting room in her bathrobe when Andre returned. "Where on earth have you been? We've got to leave in twenty minutes, and Mrs. Cooper hasn't arrived. If she's going to babysit Keiko, I want to make sure she understands what to do."
    Andre piled three shoe boxes on the sofa and started unpacking them. "Mrs. Cooper has four grown children. She'll know what to do with a baby." Kate was sure the woman would be competent. Otherwise Andre wouldn't